Pure Intentions? Chapter 28
As Adam waited for Orko to reappear he heard a desperate call within his mind. Reaching a hand to his temple, he opened his mind to the telepathic connection.
'Prince Adaaam!', the Sorceress beckoned urgently. 'Grayskull is under attack.' 'He-Man is needed, come to Grayskull as quickly as you can!'.
Dropping his hand, he jumped out of Battle Cat's saddle walking up to Duncan who was waiting a little further away with Mekanek and Ram Man. Seeing his approach and look of concern on his face, Duncan met the Prince half way.
"What is it?", he asked.
Whispering Adam stated, "The Sorceress just summoned me to Grayskull." "Skeletor is attacking and he is not alone!"
"Go!", he commanded.
Adam didn't argue. He knew that the safety of Grayskull came first. At all costs. So much for thinking that he would be saving Teela as Adam. He had to entrust her rescue to her father and the Masters as his services were allegiant to the Sorceress.
But how would he make his exit? He couldn't ask Cringer to run away and then sprint after him, as his pet was currently transformed into Battle Cat. Out here in the wilderness with miles and miles of just lush vegetation, there were no distractions or excuses for him to come up with.
Understanding his dilemma, Duncan offered an excuse as he called for Mekaneck and Ram Man to join them. Bringing his left wrist to his ear, Duncan spoke into his communicator on his cuff, faking a call to the Palace. "Yes, sir", he stated. "I'll send him back immediately."
Looking up at the Masters and a confused Adam he stated, "King Randor just contacted me." "Adam is needed at the Palace." "It is up to the three of us to rescue my daughter."
Catching up to the ruse Adam asked, "So my father is calling me back?"
Nodding, he turned away from the Masters to hide the small twitch of his mustache as he tried to hide the fact that he was lying to his comrades. Duncan couldn't wait for the day that these 'Grayskull' secrets were no longer needed. He didn't want to think about what his king's and daughter's reaction were going to be like when they found out Adam's secret. Adam had not had a chance to let him know that the King knew of Adam's secret.
Adam then approached Battle Cat. Bending at the waist, he brought his lips close to the feline's ear as he said, "We have to go to Grayskull." "Now", he uttered to signify his urgency.
"Hhop on", Battle Cat answered after he roared.
"I'll meet you all back at the Palace." "With Teela", Adam stated with certainty before turning Battle Cat away from the Rock People's lair.
'This is getting better and better', Adam thought.
Meanwhile inside the cave
10 feet
20 feet
30 feet
Teela continued falling into the bottomless pit, as she let out a loud continuous muffled cry of desperation. She was doomed. There was no way anyone could save her now.
Unless they had wings.
Unfortunately, she knew that neither Buzz-Off nor Stratos were part of the rescue party. How she wished that at least one of her winged comrades had accompanied her father.
Looking toward the ceiling so she wouldn't have to stare into the gloomy darkness below her, she noticed that the Rock People were now crowded around the edge of the pit, looking down at her as she continued to fall. With her eyes glued on them, Teela didn't notice a long jagged piece of rock protruding from the sides of the wall until she heard the material of her dress shred upon it.
Rrriiiiiippp.
The sharpness of the rock tore through the delicate fabric of her gown from the hem all the way through the waistline. Luckily for Teela, the boning of her bodice got caught on the ragged rock edge, stopping her fall. As her body jolted from the unexpected brake of her fall, the ball gag slipped out of her mouth, while the cloth torn off her dress fell into the bottomless pit.
"Phew, that was close", she uttered both glad for the ability to speak again and for having stopped her falling.
Staring at the protruding piece of rock that saved her life, Teela knew that she would have limited amount of movement before the rest of her dress was ripped asunder. Or the protruding piece of rock that saved her life broke off the pit's wall.
"Now what?", she exclaimed. What good was it that she was perched on the edge of this rocky tip? She still had to figure out a way to climb back upwards.
Teela didn't have long to contemplate. To her surprise she heard "Hold on." "We will save you", from the Rock People.
In wonderment, Teela watched as the cave dwellers lined up in a straight line one behind the other on the same side of the pit that she was hanging from. Slowly, she watched as the first massive being kneeled on all fours to be followed in action by his paesan. One by one the Rock People extended their arms to grab hold of the ankle of the person in front of them, until they made a connecting chain. The person in the front, gradually made his way over the edge. Scaling down the side of the pit, he inched his way down to Teela secured by his ankle by another cave dweller and he to another and so on and so forth.
Inch by inch, foot by foot, the Rock People lowered themselves until the leader was able to reach a hardened gray hand out to Teela.
"We save you, friend of He-Man", he spoke with confidence. Wrapping a strong hand around Teela's fisted hands, he hauled her free of the ragged rock. Secure in his hold, Teela held her breath as the Rock People still standing on top of the ledge used their mighty strength to slowly and carefully coil them upwards.
Little by little, Teela could see their progress. She was being rescued by none other than those she feared were her abductors.
With a last mighty heave, the Rock People drew their leader and the Captain of the Royal Guard safely onto solid land. Laying on the ground, Teela gave thanks to the Ancients for the Rock People's timely intervention. Once her body stopped shaking, she pushed herself up to standing. Dismay registered on her face when her actions caused her dress to rip even further. She stood in front of the beings that saved her, clad only in a green piece of material covering her bust and trailing just mere inches off her rounded full hips.
The ripping of her dress left her long bare legs indecently viewable to the Rock People. The garment only barely covered the juncture at her thighs while in the back the material touched the ends of her little moons. Too grateful for being rescued, Teela didn't care. With her head held high, she jutted out her bound arms hoping that someone among her rescuers had a sharp object to cut her free.
"We free He-Man's friend!", cried Rabar the leader of the Rock Men.
"Thank you, Rabar", Teela stated as with his mighty strength the gargantuan leader broke her bonds. Once freed she asked, "Can someone please tell me what's going on here?", as she rubbed her wrists to bring back much needed circulation to her fingers.
"They brought you here", he said. "They said, we need to make sure you no escape." "They said, they will hurt our babies if you escape." "We want babies safe." "They didn't say you He-Man's friend." "We owe He-Man for keeping us secluded." "We had to save you", Rabar continued.
"Babies will be safe, if you tell me who They are!", she commanded her voice high pitched due to her efforts.
"That's simple", Teela heard coming from a melodious female voice. A voice so pleasant, Teela couldn't envision hearing from the mouth of a Rock being. Sure enough her hypothesis was proven correct when the Rock People moved to the side to reveal a lone female human making her way towards the Captain.
Teela was awestruck. The woman was beautiful, with long free flowing midnight black hair reaching the back of her legs. She was dressed in an expensive yellow muslin knee length gown which flowed over her hour glass figure like water in a stream. When the woman stood face to face with the angered Captain, Teela could see the female possessed eyes of an unbelievable shade of violet and delicate facial features. To Teela she resembled a china doll, so pearly white was her skin she looked luminescent. Teela didn't recognize her.
"Don't you recognize me?", the woman drawled as she walked around Teela taking in her now improper apparel. "Tsk, Tsk, Tsk,". "A queen must dress more appropriately", the woman continued.
Teela stood her ground as her apparent captor perused her near naked form. She was not intimidated by her words. NO. As a non-royal person living at the palace, Teela heard these type of jeering throughout her life. She had become immune to them by now. Plus she knew that she had the same training in etiquette and formal education as these 'ladies', having received it directly by the Queen's Ladies in Waiting.
"Should I know you?", she threw back.
"I will be your Queen", the raven haired beauty sneered.
The woman's words brought much needed clarification as to the reason Teela was abducted. This maniac thought that she would marry Adam. Suddenly, Teela remembered who this was. However, now was not the time to let her captor know she had recognized her. Teela would act unaware of the woman's identify until the right moment. After she had arrested her on behalf of the Crown.
Eternia did not need a kidnapper as her future Queen. Teela would ensure this bitch got nowhere near Adam. With her hands free and her lighting quick reflexes, Teela forced her hands into her bodice closing her hands around two twin daggers she carried sheathed on a holster around her ribcage. A Cheshire grin graced her lips, when she realized that her captor had not thought of patting her down for any hidden weapons. A mistake that would cause Lady Stephania dearly.
Withdrawing her hands from her bodice, Teela brandished her hidden weapons. In each hand, she held a four inch dagger with a wristband attached to the end of each, which she looped around her wrist. She would not let this misguided noblewoman threaten her life nor get near Adam or the Throne. Not now. Not ever, especially while knowing he was in love with her.
She then put a brake on her thoughts. Technically, she wasn't yet aware of the fact that he was in love with her. It was just He-Man's word that gave her that opinion. Adam had yet to say anything about how he felt for her. In that respect, he was just like He-Man. Here she was about to risk her life for a man (or two) that she had no idea where she truly stood with.
Lowering her weapons, but not losing sight of her target Teela questioned "Was it you that tried to throw me off my horse?"
"You just don't want to die!", she yelled back at her.
"You won't be Queen", Teela countered with.
"Who's going to stop me?", the black haired beauty questioned. "As far as I can see, Your Prince Adam is not here to save you this time", she stated flippantly as she tossed her hair behind her shoulder and revealed her own hidden weapons. The viscount's daughter held two identical daggers just like Teela's in her hands, sans the wristbands.
"Although I'm grateful that Prince Adam has saved my life, I don't need him to deal with the likes of you", Teela answered while simultaneously eyeing the revealed weapons. Years of training kicking in, she took a defensive stand moving one leg behind her balancing her weight on both legs.
Brining a hand holding a dagger level with her chin, she beckoned to the noble woman "You seem overly confident of yourself."
"I'm the best dagger fighter in the Northern Hemisphere", Lady Stephania answered.
"Make your move then and I'll show you skills you've never seen before", Teela stated as she pulled her other hand slightly behind her head as she prepared to block or make a strike.
Teela's confidence enraged Stephania who with a loud growl lunged forward closing the space between them. With full force, she slammed into Teela attempting to throw her off balance. Used to wrestling guards and Skeletor's henchmen weighing at least three times Stephania's pounds, Teela easily stood her ground. It would take much more than that to intimidate Randor's Captain.
Side stepping around the noble woman, Teela raised her right leg kicking Stephania behind the left knee. Automatically, the shorter woman buckled to the floor. The captain quickly closed the distance, attempting to wrap her arms around Stephania's upper body; however, the latter quickly pirouetted on one leg bringing her other leg around sweeping Teela off balance.
Pouncing on top of the red-haired warrior, Stephania pinned Teela to the ground covering her entire body with her own. Raising on arm overhead, she attempted to stab Teela in the abdomen. As the dagger made its descend, Teela bucked her hips ferociously dislodging Stephania off of her. Continuing with her movement, she threw her legs over her shoulders enabling her to back flip over herself into a kneeling position. From there, she pushed upwards to a standing position legs shoulder width apart.
Wiping sweat off her forehead, Teela reached her hand outwards crooking two fingers in Stephania's direction to indicate it was her move. Now also standing, the raven haired beauty made a run to attack Teela. Sidestepping her rush, Teela jabbed forward landing a Karate chop to the back of Stephania's neck bringing the other woman back to her knees.
"You should give up while you still can", Teela taunted.
"My father wouldn't dream of it", Stephania yelled as she lunged upwards.
Face to face, the two women circled each other each holding their arms to the side, the daggers clutched possessively in their palms. With each revolution, the distance between them closed. Mere inches away from each other Teela decided to take the offense, making the first move by bringing her right arm across her midline in an downward stroke. Stephania blocked by flinging herself to the side. Teela ran after her jabbing her left arm forward meaning to stab Stephania in the abdomen. Quickly sucking in her breath, Stephania deflated her abdomen and jumped backwards escaping Teela's dagger by mere centimeters.
Having missed her mark Teela pulled back, cart wheeling backwards to avoid Stephania's blows which were coming in quick successive forward thrusts. When she put enough distance between the noble woman's sharp daggers and her sensitive skin, Teela stated "You won't win, Stephania."
"Ahh, so you do know me", she answered as she dropped her daggers to the floor. Stephania's decision to disarm herself left Teela perplexed.
"You are Lord Teary's daughter." "Adam and I were on our way to your home town tomorrow." "Why kidnap me from Arcadia, when I was going to be in your home?", Teela asked.
"I've had enough of you sleeping with my future husband", Stephania answered. "When he comes to Calcuwhita tomorrow he'll be alone."
Teela gave a wry smile at Stephania's choice of words. It was obvious that she was aware that she and Adam were sharing a bed while on this tour; however, Stephania was not aware how true her words were when it came to the other meaning of the word 'sleeping' with someone. If Teela's suspicion was correct and Adam is He-Man, Teela had 'slept' with Adam in the biblical sense on many occasions.
It was now that Teela chose to break Stephania's bubble by saying, "He'll come to find me and when he does he will never give you a second thought for what you've done."
"What do you mean?", she asked.
"I am his best friend." "Do you think he'll want to marry a woman who has threatened the life of his closest childhood friend?", Teela asked.
Taking a step forward, Stephania laughed maniacally. "I can persuade him to forget you", she stated confidently.
"How will you do that?", Teela asked not moving from her position.
Shrugging her elegant shoulders she answered, "That's not any of your concern." "When I'm done with you, you won't have to worry about how I'll win Adam's heart."
"It's his heart you want or Eternia?", Teela asked.
"Having his love, will be enough for me." "My father….he wants Eternia", she answered. "Through my marriage to Adam, my father will rule Eternia."
"You forget that when King Randor is no longer the Sovereign, Adam will be." "Not your father", Teela corrected her. She knew that Lord Teary was a calculating business man, almost coercing Adam to pay him a visit. She had no idea he would go to these lengths to sit on the Throne.
"Adam can't rule", she answered with a sneer. "He is a coward and too carefree to take on the Monarchy." "Eternia needs a strong man to lead her", she said as she came to stand directly in front of Teela. "My father will be that man."
"You think very little of the man whom you say you love", Teela answered before lifting both feet of the ground to kick Stephania in the chest with both legs. When she landed back on the ground, she outstretched one arm in front of her, the other pulled back against her cheekbone.
"Who said that love and ruling should go hand in hand?", she asked. "All royals are not as lucky as King Randor and Queen Marlena." "Most don't marry for love, but then you wouldn't know that." "You are not a royal", she said her tone almost dismissive. "I don't understand why Adam would want to marry you?", she questioned.
Why would Stephania be under the impression that Adam wanted to marry her? Teela had to get Stephania to keep talking. How would she do that? Communication wasn't her strong point, fighting was. Deciding to be direct she asked her pointedly, "What gives you the impression that Adam has chosen me?"
"I watched the two of you at his birthday ball." "He never danced with anyone else", she informed her. "However, that doesn't matter." "Soon he'll only ever dance with me again."
"Not if I have anything to do with it", Teela replied. "I'm still armed."
"I don't need stupid daggers in order to fight you", Stephania stated. As soon as her last word was uttered she brought her hands overhead as a luminous ball of fire appeared. Teela watched with trepidation as the woman pulled her arms apart, each holding a rounded flame.
"Surprise?", Stephania asked when she noticed Teela's shock. "I told you, I don't need a weapon to fight you!"
Teela realized her mistake too late. She had no idea that Stephania could use magic. Did she inherit this power from Lord Teary? Suddenly, the graveness of her situation hit her full force. If she and Adam had traveled to Calcuwhita on the morrow they would have fallen right in their clutches.
With an evil laugh, Stephania prepared to unleash one of the fire balls . Pulling her arm backwards, she forcefully threw her entire weight forward through her arm to direct the position of the flame. Waiting until the last second, Teela hopped forward on one leg, while swinging her free leg and both arms into the air, propelling her entire body midair. Quickly she wrapped her arms into her chest as she spun in 360 degrees achieving a parallel position to the ground. Her quick reflexes ensured that the flames missed their target. Her momentum carried her over Stephania's head, so that when she landed she stood behind the fire bearing woman.
Stephania quickly turned around to face Teela. "Your tricks won't keep you safe for long", she stated through gritted teeth. Taking a step forward, she stopped midway as she turned her head around when a loud explosion tore through the cave.
Teela too directed her gaze to where the cave was collapsing. As debris fell from overhead, Teela crouched low covering her head.
As soon as the dust settled, she stood up dusting off her dress and out of instinct pulled it lower as with all of her physical movements the dress rode higher. Teela looked for Stephania but couldn't see her. Coughing to clear her throat, she squinted through the soot as several silhouettes walked through the opening.
"Teela are you alright", she heard her father state.
"Yes", she uttered when another explosion rocked the cave. This one came from the bottom up, as Stephania busted up from all the broken rock pieces that had previously buried her. Quick to defend his daughter, Man-At-Arms fired his wrist laser freezing the noblewoman in a half seated position.
Lowering his weapon, he looked in Teela's direction to see that his daughter was no longer standing. Running to her, he saw she was bleeding profusely from a wound on her temple, just above her right eyebrow. Stephania's magic had caused a large piece of rock to fly off her and hit Teela squarely on the forehead like a projected missile.
She now lay prone on the floor totally unconscious to what was happening around her.
Having left Teela's rescue party a good distance behind, Adam dismounted from Battle Cat. In one swift move, he withdrew his Power Sword from the invincible scabbard always attached to his back. Raising his hand in the air, he called down the Power of Grayskull. Within minutes he transformed himself into He-Man before climbing back into the saddle. Having done this so many times, no words were needed between him and Battle Cat. Galloping quickly, the great armored cat devoured the miles between the Rock People's liar and Grayskull.
He-Man didn't know what he'll be facing when he reached Grayskull as the Sorceress didn't inform him as to the specifics of Skeletor's attack. Drawing nearer to the castle, he slowed Battle Cat down in order to be more cautious. By doing so, he ensured he didn't fall into a trap.
Rounding a hill, he came into view with the great stronghold seeing Skeletor standing in front of the jaw bridge. The Lord of Destruction was not alone. To his left stood another man, cloaked in modern gentleman's clothing. Both he and Skeletor had their arms outstretched in front of them each holding a magical talisman in their hands. Skeletor off course held his Havoc Staff whereas the stranger held a spear in one hand and a purple heart shaped crystal in the other.
He-Man didn't at first recognize Skeletor's companion. He studied the stranger's short chin length black hair much in the same hair style as his own. When he turned to speak to Skeletor, He-Man's gaze landed on the man's profile taking in a neatly trimmed goatee.
Marzo.
Apparently, the sorcerer was back this time having teamed up with Skeletor. As He-Man contemplated, how this occurred he noticed that the beam of magic projected from their talisman was beginning to work against the Sorceress's protection spell and the jaw bridge cracked slightly open.
This couldn't happen.
Calling Battle Cat to his side, he motioned their attack. His companion was attack Marzo, while he handled Skeletor.
Crouching low, both human and feline prepped themselves to release their supernatural speed and strength to fight against their enemy. Without making any noise to alert the attackers to their presence, they leaped up and with unimaginable speed ran towards them.
He-Man barreled into Skeletor immediately, dislodging the Havoc Staff from his deathlike grip, while Battle Cat reared high on his back legs to bring down his front paws on Marzo's shoulders, his elongated sharp nails imbedding their deeply.
With a roar, both evil sorcerers turned to face their enemy. He-Man watched with a smile as Skeletor's visage changed from utter surprise to one of complete anger. Marzo's body language matched Skeletor's however, he was howling in pain as Battle Cat sank his 6-inch canines into the soft tissue connecting the Count's shoulder to his neck. Try as he might, he couldn't dislodge Battle Cat from his body.
"He-Man", Skeletor screeched.
"Skeletor, help me!", Marzo pleaded.
Seeing his partner being mauled by the ferocious cat, Skeletor threw his hands in the air as he pulled in the magic from around him. With a blinding burst of light, the Havoc Staff flew back into his outstretched hand before Marzo's amulet also floated toward him. Then with an even bigger illumination, both he and Marzo disappeared leaving a bewildered Battle Cat biting thin air.
"RRRR", he growled, "they always disappear at the best part." Extending his long pink tongue, Battle Cat cleaned his whiskers from Marzo's blood. Coughing, he spewed the blood onto the floor as he hated the way human blood and tissue tasted.
"Are you alright?", He-Man answered him, disappointment evident in his voice that once again his intervention did not lead to Skeletor's arrest.
"Yes", Battle Cat sneered. "Are you?"
"I'm fine." "Let's see if the Sorceress needs us before we return to help with Teela's rescue", he stated while waiting for the jaw bridge to be lowered.
When the lower toothy mandible touched the ground, He-Man jumped back in the saddle. He saw the Sorceress standing beyond the precipice of the lowered bridge.
"Thank you, Champion of Eternia", she stated in her serene voice. "Once again your help keeps this castle and all of its secrets safe."
"I wish I could say the same about Teela", he stated as with the threat to Grayskull now gone, his concern was only for his lady love.
"Man-At-Arms is bringing her here", she replied.
"He found her?!", the disguised Prince exclaimed.
"Come inside and wait for them to arrive", she stated as she turned away from the draw bridge with a smile on her face.
Galloping over the bridge, Battle Cat brought He-Man inside in a few seconds. Perched on top of his companion, He-Man followed the Sorceress back into the Throne room. Once there she turned to face him, her beautiful face calm as she informed him, "Duncan contacted me telepathically, that my daughter has been found." "I had them wait before I opened a portal until we defeated Skeletor."
With that she raised both arms to shoulder length height as light emanated from both hands as she conjured a dimensional portal. When it was large enough, Teela's rescuers came through one by one.
"It was Lady Stephania", Orko yelled as soon as he was through the portal and standing in front of He-Man and the Sorceress. He was the first to come out of the portal.
Mekaneck and Ram Man came through next, carrying in their arms a still frozen Lady Stephania.
He-Man waited anxiously to see Teela walk through the portal. He waited a good five minutes before a brown booted foot peaked through the portal. His gaze traveling upwards, He-Man took in the golden shin guards, green army fatigue leggings, and furry brown shorts of Duncan's uniform. Traveling higher, He-Man saw that he clutched a bleeding and unconscious Teela in his arms.
The red-haired beauty's body was limp in her father's arms, her long muscular legs exposed. Knowing how much she would hate to wake up to find herself in such a state of undress in front of her colleagues, He-Man pulled down a tapestry from one of the gray castle walls and draped it over her.
"This way, Duncan", the Sorceress directed as she lead the men to the third floor bedrooms. Before climbing the stairs she turned to face Mekaneck and Ram Man stating "I must ask the two of you to remain below." "Battle Cat, would you guard the prisoner in case she unfreezes?", she asked sweetly.
Nodding his acquiescence, the big cat moved adjacent to the frozen noblewoman ready to pounce on her in case she moved a muscle.
"I'm staying here too", stated Orko as he rolled up his long red sleeves exposing bony blue arms. Sitting next to Battle Cat a scowl overcame his features as he stared angrily at Lady Stephania.
Teela did not stir as her father laid her gently on a soft four poster bed. Bending over her, he applied bandages to her head as He-Man stood in the doorway confusion marring his handsome features.
"What happened?", he asked.
"It's a long story", Duncan replied over his shoulder. Stepping away from his daughter, he gave the Sorceress space to come forward.
Placing a comforting hand on Duncan's shoulder she stated, "Thank you for bringing her here instead of going straight away to the Palace." "I just wanted to personally make sure she is alright." "May I have a few moments alone with her?", she asked the two men whom she knew loved Teela as much as she did.
Approaching He-Man at the doorway Duncan responded, "Take as much time as you need." "We'll be downstairs with the others", before closing the door behind him.
As soon as the men left the room, Teela Na gingerly sat at the foot of the bed, staring lovingly at her daughter's sleeping form. Her body ached with the pain of wanting to pull her into her lap and cuddle her, the way she did when she was an infant. However, the mystic guardian knew that was not possible. She was taking a risk having Teela rest here in the bed that would have been hers had she grown up within the castle walls. Despite that, Teela Na needed these brief moments alone with her. Using her magic she ran a loving hand over Teela's body examining for any unknown injuries. Finding none, she stood from the bed. Walking to the head of the bed, she bend low briefly pressing a tender kiss on her daughter's forehead. 'One day soon, I will have you back home', the lonely mother stated inwardly.
Straightening, she outstretched her hands transforming into Zoar to fly out of the room thus she didn't need to disturb the sleeping Captain. Out the bedroom window she flew, then she allowed her magnificent wings to take her high over the castle's turrets. From their she had an all expanse view of the lands surrounding Castle Grayskull. Pleased that no threats lurked near, she lowered herself and entered the Throne room from another window. Flying to her Throne, she took her human form again.
Below stood the man who had vowed to raise Teela, the man who wanted to marry her, and others who cared for her daughter very deeply. She entrusted them with Teela's caretaking and related that as soon as Teela woke up, she'd return her to the Palace.
This didn't bode well for He-Man. He wanted her home now; however, in this form he couldn't state his wishes. He didn't have to. When he heard the Sorceress's voice pleading with him to give her this one night, he knew that she had heard his desires. Looking directly at her, he nodded his head to indicate his agreement.
Directing his gaze to the still frozen Lady Stephania, He-Man asked to find out what happened.
Duncan answered him, "Orko reappeared to us a few minutes after Prince Adam left for the Palace." "It took Ram Man several tries to break down the barrier." "Orko helped with some magic and I used my laser." "Our entrance must have caused an avalanche to fall over Lady Stephania burying her beneath it." "Next thing we knew, she used magic to dislodge the rocks covering her, when one flew toward Teela hitting her squarely on forehead." As he spoke, Duncan strode over to the frozen prisoner aiming his right laser at her. His uniform was also equipped with a de-freezing laser. Aiming it at Lady Stephania he depressed a button so that the warm liquid sprayed all over her. Still bound, Lady Stephania rapidly blinked her eyes as she took in her surroundings.
"Where am I?", she asked her voice full of anger.
"We'll be asking the questions here", stated Mekaneck as he came forward. "Who are you?"
With a flip of her long hair and battling her eyelashes she looked up at the cybernetic Master to answer. Her voice was laced with confidence as she stated, "I'm Lady Stephania, the future Queen of Eternia."
When the words left her mouth, Duncan's gaze found He-Man's. The older man could see the surprise on the hero's face. Walking over to him he cleared his throat indicating that He-Man was showing too much personal interest in the woman's words.
Waylaying him with a hand on his massive shoulder, Duncan stepped forward to address the noble woman. "Do you recognize me?"
Directing her gaze at him she nodded her head. Coming to stand over her with his imposing height which intimidated most but not to this woman who aspired to become Queen, Duncan spoke calmly when he addressed her next "So you would like to become the Queen of Eternia?"
"I deserve it, not this harlot who parades herself half naked and sleeps in the Prince's bed", she stated with distaste as she tilted her head around looking for the red-haired captain.
"Are you speaking about the Captain of the Royal Guard?", He-Man asked.
Switching her gaze to him, she stalled at the possessive look of anger he directed in her direction. Quickly lowering her eyes, she nodded her head.
"Why doesn't Captain Teela deserve to be Queen?", Eternia's Champion asked, his voice even not betraying the fire burning.
"She is not royalty, nor of noble blood", Stephania answered haughtily.
"Neither is Queen Marlena", Duncan reminded her as he watched He-Man's reaction to Stephania's words. He was worried that He-Man may do or say something to reveal his true relationship to the Queen. As her son, he had every right to defend his mother. As Eternia's Champion he had to show a level of disinterest.
"The Queen has proven her worth." "Teela has not", Stephania replied. At her words, Duncan send a telepathic message to the Sorceress to intervene before he or He-Man did something they would regret. How could this woman who hardly knew his loyal daughter make such accusations against her.
Coming to stand in front of the prisoner, the Sorceress now spoke "You are the one who wrote the missive in the Molotov bomb." Her words were neither a question nor a statement.
"I am." Stephania answered knowing full well to whom she was speaking to.
"Lord Teary's daughter is not a magic wielder." "Your spells are strong, young one", the Sorceress stated.
"Blah." "Lord Teary is a fool, thank the Ancients that he is not my biological father", the bound woman responded.
"What do you mean?", asked Duncan who was now confused. He remembered that Lord Teary was the Viscount of Calcuwhita and that Adam and Teela would have traveled there tomorrow.
"I mean, that I am not his daughter."
"Who are you then?", Ram Man asked who until now kept quiet.
With a shrug and disdain she answered, "That's for me to know and for you not to find out, idiot."
"You will not speak to a Master in that tone", Duncan admonished her. "You may think that Teela is beneath you; however, I am a lord of the realm and King Randor's closest advisor." "You will respect my men and my adopted daughter!", he stated in a tone that did not leave room for argument.
"That whore, doesn't deserve my respect", Stephania answered back.
Orko caught the Sorceress raising her hand at that remark. Floating over to her, he restrained her with a gentle tap on the shoulder. Turning to look at him, but not lowering her extended arm the Sorceress was shocked to see Orko making his eyes larger than smaller as if sending her a signal. He then directed his eye balls left to right, hoping that the Sorceress understood his nonverbal exchange to mean that she should not blast this haughty woman.
Understanding dawning, she lowered her arm. Turning to face her Trollan friend, she thanked him by forming the words only with her mouth as she walked to the back of the room. She had to get a handle on her emotions. Showing her anger would not benefit her daughter at all. Especially because she didn't yet ascertain to what extent Lady Stephania imposed a threat. She knew that the noblewoman's magic was no match for hers, especially within the confines of Grayskull; however, the woman did possess a great deal of it. She wondered who her biological parents were.
Her curiosity was appeased when Battle Cat roared, drawing the noblewoman's attention to him. Everyone in the room smirked at the noticeable shiver she exhibited once Stephania noticed how long the feline's teeth were. She may not have been afraid of the men in the room; however, she was clearly terrified by this beast.
"Teela is my friend", he growled. "She has done a lot for Eternia." "If Prince Adam wants to marry her, we won't let you or anyone else stand in the way."
"You'd have to stop me first", she said as she wriggled her bound arms. Luckily, Ram Man noticed the slight movement and with quick reflexes plowed his massive body into her knocking her instantly unconscious.
So now there were two unconscious women in Grayskull.